Reduce Board Meeting Drama

We've all heard and seen the videos showing people getting out of control at board meetings.  Reducing it doesn't mean hiring an off duty police officer who is not a member of the association to serve as a bouncer.  It actually starts before the meeting ever gets started. 

Board members have busy lives in most cases.  They work, have families, & have obligations to fulfill, just like everyone else does.  Anyone with kids knows there isn't enough hours in the day already without adding last minute HOA business to it. 

There is absolutely zero reasons why management cannot have them out one week prior to the meeting.  If your meeting is the first week of the month consider moving it to the middle.  Otherwise, there is no viable excuse for not having them in board members hands one week prior.

In order for board members to be effective they must have time to read the information, absorb it, research things to answer questions without asking, then make note of the questions they do have.  If anything in the packet upsets anyone they have a week to get over it.  

By removing the stress that comes with last minute research because board packets are delivered 2 days before the meeting we reduce the urgency & stress associatied with meetings.  By removing the drama and frustration a more relaxed board member who is level headed is created.  Anyone who waits till the last minute is a "drama queen".  They like the drama created by waiting until the last minute to do something they've known had to be done.  For many it puts stress on them and many people do not handle stress well which comes out as anger.

My next suggestions occur the night of the meeting.  First and foremost eat before going.  I don't mean eat a Snickers; eat a real dinner.  Second, take some time to yourself and just close your eyes and breath.  Don't go to sleep; just breath deep and relax.  Let all the frustrations from the day fall away.  If you have to drive to the meeting then go early and do the deep breathing exercise in your car.  It's important to not be taking baggage into the meeting with you.  Leave the frustrations and stress from the day at the office or toss off a bridge somewhere, but do not take it in with you.  If you take medication take it 30 minutes before you go to the meeting so that it is in your system for the meeting.  Make sure you are comfortable and if you feel stress coming on ask for a short break.

These suggestions should help to reduce the stress and drama associated with board meetings.  Including preventing board members from taking frustrations out on others.